Rehoming Unit Groom (1345)

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys and mules worldwide. We are working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering, and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We are achieving this by transforming the quality of life for donkeys, mules and people worldwide through greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships.

We have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and proactive team player with a passion for Donkeys to join our busy Rehoming Unit at Brookfield Farm. Possessing substantial equine and animal husbandry experience, you will provide care and rehabilitation for the resident donkeys suitable for the rehoming scheme, and support the Farm Manager and Rehoming Supervisor in maintaining a safe working environment.

About you:

· Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills.

· Excellent customer service skills.

· Physically fitness and able to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).

· Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.

· Willing to undertake work related training as required.

· Full current valid driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

· Providing care by routine observation, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing and worming the donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies, and by operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs.

· Assisting with routines such as farriery, dentals, veterinary examinations, vaccinations, de-lousing and maintaining all procedures and protocols, and ordering, preparing and administrating medications under veterinary advice.

· Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Manager and the Rehoming Supervisor on matters such as animal health and feeding regimes.

· Maintaining the farm by sweeping, pressure washing, cleaning, field sweeping, haymaking, strumming, compost management, willow management and dirty water control.

· Maintaining up to date manual and computer records for the donkeys, farming practices, holidays and overtime including the Self-Serve system; Ensuring that Donkey records are kept up to date on AMS and that the Animal Prep information is regularly inputted.

· Providing high level behaviour training following DS guidelines/practices to prepare donkeys for Guardianship Scheme.

· Facilitating visits from new guardians so that donkeys can be matched to homes.

The contract:

This is a full time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, working 5 days over 7, with weekend work as part of a rota

Benefits:

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates classes.

Long service swards.

Healthshield plan –

· Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.

· Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 3 May 2023.

For further information regarding this role, including application instructions, please copy and paste the following link into your web browser:

https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/1363/description

The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Salary: £22,369.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free fitness classes
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Wellness programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Honiton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 03/05/2023
Reference ID: (1345)